When I was a boy, I used to stare out of my bedroom window and wonder what lay beyond the fields and woods behind our house. I imagined wild lands filled with strange creatures, rivers yet to be crossed, and mountains no one had ever climbed. Of course, it was just the Peak District, but to me, it was as exciting as the Amazon.
That curiosity never left me. In fact, it was those early moments, camping in the garden, getting lost (and found) on family walks, reading about ancient explorers, that sparked a lifelong desire to venture further.
Now, as an explorer and author, I truly believe adventure doesn’t start on a mountain or in the jungle; it starts with curiosity. And it starts young.
Adventure Builds More Than Memories
Going on an expedition, whether it’s across the Silk Road or around your local park, teaches kids valuable lessons: how to be prepared, how to stay curious, and how to look at the world in new ways. It’s not about danger or extreme endurance, it’s about learning, growing, and discovering.
When I wrote Incredible Journeys, I wanted to share the spirit of exploration that inspired me as a child. The stories in the book aren’t just about long-lost trade routes and frozen wastelands; they’re about bravery, resilience, and a hunger to see what’s out there.
You Don’t Need a Passport to Start
Adventure is everywhere. Some of the most important skills any explorer needs can be learned right at home:
- Learn to pitch a tent (even if it’s in the garden).
- Practice reading a map and using a compass.
- Write a journal — document what you see and feel.
- Read — books about brave travellers are fuel for the imagination.
One of my earliest adventures was simply walking five kilometres through the Scottish Highlands. That’s where it started for me. Not in the Himalayas or the Nile, but on a muddy footpath closer to home.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Inspiring the Next GenerationI’ve met young readers who told me they’ve gone on their first hike because of something they read in Incredible Journeys. That’s the best feedback I could ever receive.
As The Scotsman put it, “This book will inspire your child to start exploring the world around them, near or far.” And that’s exactly what I hope it does.
The world is wide and waiting, but the journey starts just outside your front door.
Incredible Journeys is now available in paperback again by popular demand, but copies are going fast. Order it here and spark an adventure that might just last a lifetime.